Reviews of Ongava Tented Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
163 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ongava Tented Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Ongava Tented Camp review"
They could have made a bit more of the services on offer which were mentioned briefly on entering but no real information as to how this would be arranged, how long it would take etc. as there already seemed to be plenty organised. We asked to go to the info centre which I had read about in the Brent guide but we really had to make it happen by talking with the other guests and negotiating with the guide who seemed quite put out that we were messing with his plans.
The Curios shop was high end and expensive. The staff were really great making all sorts of efforts to remember our names and our preferences ensuring we were well looked after.
Activity at the water hole was impressive with white and black rhino, lions and giraffe frequenting the area at dinner times and plenty water buck springbok and kudu during the day. We were there while they were conducting the reserves annual census which was fascinating. Elephant and rhino approaches were unexpected but rewarding and sensitively done by the guide. Being able to spend time watching a baby elephant was particularly lovely.
The day trip to Etosha was long and very touristy with lots of driving from one spot to another just to take a photo, the guide seemed rather bored at this point and it felt a long day and rather relentless. We then had to drive all the way through Etosha the next day and felt maybe a day to relax in Ongava with a massage, trip to info centre and curios shop with a lunch at another lodge in the reserve might've been better for us in hindsight.
We did choose to stay back from the final sundowner and hang at the pool instead.
The staff put on a lovely private meal on our terrace on the last evening for our honeymoon which was unexpected and perfect" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
8 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
We had lunch, unpacked, and off for the afternoon drive. Not five minutes out of camp we found a pride of lions.
The Ongava waterhole is very active. We had white and black rhinos every night, elephants during the day and at night. One afternoon I was sitting at the pool and several of the herd opted to drink from the pool. Amazing to have them so close.
The first night the lions woke us up roaring at 4:30 am. The at 5:30 am they were running around the camp next to our tents with the guides chasing them away after a young staff person met three large cubs on the path and let out several screams. Exciting from the safety of our tents.
The second day we approached a group of five white rhinos on foot. I was amazed at how close we were able to get. We saw them again in the late afternoon, just before we stopped for our sundowner. The following day we went into Etosha. So many great sightings. A leopardess and cub, watching a pride of lions walking for 20+ minutes across the plains to the waterhole, huge herds of elephants, countless zebra, gemsbok, giraffe, wildebeest. With how dry it is, I was surprised by the abundance of wildlife.
Ongava is a large 34,000 hectare (68,000 acre) private reserve. They pride themselves, and rightly so, on their private rangers protecting the animals from poaching. We stayed three nights, and I wish we had stayed more. The knowledge of our guide Binius, the friendly staff, the amazing food, our every need or request met. I feel bad because I think we drank them out of pinotage.
We were glad we stayed when we did. The camp is going to close in January 2024 and reopen with fewer, more upscale tents. Which also probably means a higher price.
My only suggestion is to change the design of the roofs on the vehicles. My husband and I sat in the back row. The ceiling is very low, so our one friend would have hit his head. There are also canvas doors, which is a nice safety feature, but between the low ceiling and the door, there is a very small space to look out. It was impossible for me to see out the window on the opposite side, where my husband was sitting. And I had to crouch down to look out. The day we went into Etosha, I asked to sit in the front seat, where I had a better view out the front and both sides, but missed the elevated view, especially when we saw two honey badgers running through the grass." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
So many animals at the water hole. Plus an elephant ranking from the swimming pool!" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
10 sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
Beanius was a great guide helping to find what we wanted to see but also so sensitive and respectful of the impact on the animals." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
The Reserve proved to be an exceptional location for viewing Black and White Rhino, and to our mind provided a more enjoyable and rewarding wildlife experience than Etosha itself ( which was in places rather busy ).
The camp itself was pleasant, unpretentious and with a traditional feel. The highlight is a small swimming pool next to the dining area which provides drinking water for visiting elephants throughout the day, in preference to the muddy waterhole set 50 yards back !" See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Lion
7 sightings
Oryx
4 sightings
White Rhino
8 sightings
Wildebeest
8 sightings
Zebra
8 sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
The guide was excellent.
Could have stayed longer." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Lion
10 sightings
Oryx
2 sightings
White Rhino
7 sightings
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Spectacular Camp"
The elephant even came to the pool to get a drink as we stand within 10 feet watching. Magnificent! The tent lodging itself was very comfortable with all the amenities you could want. Camp manager joined us for dinner the last night, a nice evening learning about her story.
Be prepared if you go in the summer there are a lot of moths. They are beautiful but love sugar, so they flock to red wine and drinks with sugar. Some guests found it annoying but it was all part of the experience. The staff do their best to mitigate by having beaded tops to put on glasses and by putting out balsamic vinegar to attract the moths away from the table." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
Eland
3 sightings
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
9 sightings
White Rhino
4 sightings
Wildebeest
6 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Amazing place to stay on Ongava Reserve"
The rooms are tented but comfortable. There's no air-conditioning but despite it being summer that wasn't really a problem. Laundry service was included which was helpful. The food was wonderful, best of our entire trip, and the service as we were around the camp was flawless. The only thing that didn't quite work was the dinner on our own veranda - since we had to have a guard whenever we were outside after dark it wasn't quite as intimate as might have been planned!
It was rainy season but we had no rain and not even much cloud; however there was standing water to be found, and lush undergrowth, which probably limited some of our animal sightings. Nevertheless we saw plenty of wildlife, including lions, and on two occasions we were able to get out of the truck to track rhino through the bush. We didn't see a leopard but heard that there were tracks around the camp in the morning. We didn't see many small animals as there were too many places to hide. We were told that this was low season due to the heat and lower likelihood of animal sightings, but I would consider this a fair trade-off for the peace and emptiness of the place.
While most of our excursions were on the Ongava property (which is clearly teeming with wildlife), we also did a trip to Entosha National Park. I wouldn't consider this a highlight as there were fewer animals around, but it gave us a great sense of the vastness of the region." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in Namibia
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Other lodges in Etosha National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Okaukuejo Camp
Set within Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo Resort is a large camp with a productive, floodlit waterhole.
Halali Camp
The smallest of Etosha's erstwhile restcamps, overlooking its own floodlit waterhole, Halali has a superb location near the centre of Etosha Pan.
Mushara Bush Camp
The family-friendly Mushara Bush Camp offers great value and is an excellent base from which to explore Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a lovely, little tented camp which centres around an attractive waterhole a short drive from the Von Lindequist Gate to eastern Etosha.
Mushara Lodge
Close to the eastern entrance to Etosha, the comfortable Mushara Lodge is well-placed for exploring the park in your own vehicle or on a guided drive.
Dolomite Camp
Opened in 2011, Dolomite Camp allows visitors access to the far west side of Etosha National Park, which was previously off limits to most visitors.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Hobatere Lodge
To the west of Etosha National Park, on the edge of Damaraland, Hobatere Lodge offers good game-viewing on its own reserve.
Mushara Outpost
Intimate and luxurious, Mushara Outpost is well-placed on a private reserve to explore nearby Etosha National Park on your own or on a guided drive.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Etosha Safari Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Safari Lodge is a convenient base from which to explore the park.
Taleni Etosha Village
Only 4km from Etosha's southern entrance, Taleni Etosha Village is an affordable base from which to explore the park.
Andersson's at Ongava
With game drives on both its private reserve and in Etosha, Andersson's at Ongava also offers access to the Ongava Research Centre.
Little Ongava
The beautifully located and luxurious Little Ongava is a stunning place to stay in order to explore Etosha National Park and the private Ongava Reserve.
Etosha Safari Camp
Funky, low-key and very original, Etosha Safari Camp is well placed for visiting Etosha National Park on a self-drive or guided safari.
Mountain Lodge
In the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, the family-friendly Mountain Lodge offers game drives and bush walks within an exclusive environment.
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
With 106 rooms, child-friendly Mokuti Etosha Lodge is more like a hotel than a lodge. Facilities to include a gym, spa, tennis courts and even a snake park.
Etosha Oberland Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Oberland Lodge is a very comfortable base from which to explore the park, with excellent food.
Vreugde Guest Farm
Vreugde Guest Farm is a delightful owner-run and working sheep farm where you can expect a warm welcome and charming hospitality.
Villa Mushara
Offering luxury on a peaceful private reserve close to Etosha, Villa Mushara is a great choice for honeymooners & those wishing to indulge themselves.
Etosha King Nehale
A short drive from the national park's northern entrance, Etosha King Nehale Lodge is an interesting and comfortable base from which to explore the park.
Toshari Lodge
Smart and professionally run, the hotel-style Toshari Lodge is well-placed for self-driving in Etosha National Park.
Safari House
The private Safari House on the Etosha Heights reserve is a great option families or friends travelling together.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
